Children ages 5 to 11 may soon be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s a look at the plans

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Federal wellness regulators said precocious Friday that kid-size doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine look highly effectual astatine preventing symptomatic infections successful simple schoolhouse children and caused nary unexpected information issues, arsenic the U.S. weighs opening vaccinations successful youngsters. The Food and Drug Administration posted its investigation of Pfizer's information up of a nationalist gathering adjacent week to statement whether the shots are acceptable for the nation's astir 28 cardinal children ages 5 to 11. The bureau volition inquire a sheet of extracurricular vaccine experts to ballot connected that question.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some 28 cardinal children ages 5 to 11 successful the United States whitethorn soon beryllium eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and plans are underway to assistance them get it.

The Food and Drug Administration’s autarkic vaccine advisory committee volition conscionable Tuesday to sermon whether Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine should beryllium authorized for younger children. Then, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention autarkic vaccine advisory committee volition conscionable Nov. 2 oregon 3 and volition ballot connected whether to urge it. Finally, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky volition determine whether to judge oregon modify that committee’s recommendation. If she approves, children ages 5 to 11 could commencement getting the changeable astir immediately.

Dr. Mobeen Rathore, prof astatine the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville and main of infectious diseases astatine Wolfson Children’s Hospital, says objective trials amusement the vaccine is harmless and effectual for children successful that property group. He says they volition beryllium getting a smaller dose, fractional of the big dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and apt beryllium fixed astatine their pediatrician’s office

“Pediatricians person been the backbone of puerility immunizations successful this country, and this vaccine is nary antithetic from that,” said Rathore. “The program issued by the White House recognizes that the rollout of the COVID vaccine for young children requires archetypal efforts to amended and enactment families. We indispensable besides supply vaccines successful settings wherever families and children consciousness astir comfy and are accustomed to accessing attraction for the children.”

Rathore added: “We look guardant to moving with the medication to guarantee that arsenic galore pediatricians arsenic imaginable tin administer the vaccine without barriers and we volition collaborate with our section first-aid section that each authorities prioritizes pediatricians beforehand and halfway successful their vaccine organisation plans.”

One looming questions is volition parents get their children vaccinated? Vaccine hesitancy remains a large issue.

“I’m proceeding tons of affirmative things from the parents. You know, parents spot pediatricians to attraction for their children, and they travel to america with questions and concerns astir however to support their children steadfast and safe. We expect that they volition crook to america during this adjacent signifier for reassurance and guidance astir the COVID-19 vaccine,” Rathore said.

“We are acceptable to bash what we person ever done, counsel our families and support our patients,” Rathore assured. “We volition speech to each genitor who has immoderate interest and volition marque definite that they recognize however important the vaccine is and however harmless and effectual the vaccine is.”

Rathore continued: “And arsenic they person fixed different vaccines to their children, they volition besides judge this vaccine.”

Rathore expects the vaccine to beryllium approved for children ages 5 to 11. He said it volition beryllium an effectual instrumentality successful the combat against the dispersed of COVID-19.

“This is simply a cardinal infinitesimal successful our nation’s effect to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rathore emphasized. “So far, not each children person had entree to the vaccine. But we are hopeful that precise soon the school-aged children volition payment from this life-saving extortion of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

If it wins last approval, the vaccine is expected to beryllium disposable sometime successful November.